Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Gilbert Burns (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Neil Magny (blue gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Vegas 106: Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales fight this weekend.

MMA fighters are often criticized for ducking tough opponents and carefully selecting their fights. Not Gilbert Burns. Burns sits at #8 in the welterweight rankings while his opponent is #12, making this a high-risk, low-reward proposition for the 38-year-old. But Burns has his reasons, and they speak volumes about his character as a fighter and as a person.

Burns’ decision comes during a rough patch in his career. He is currently on a three-fight losing streak. His recent defeats have come against top competition in Sean Brady, Jack Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad. Instead of taking an easier comeback fight, Burns chose to test himself against one of the division’s hottest prospects.

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Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales Preview

The UFC Vegas 106 main event this Saturday features a classic matchup of styles and career stages. Burns brings a wealth of experience and championship pedigree to the octagon. With a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and extensive training under striking coach Henri Hooft, Burns has a complete skillset honed through years of facing the division’s elite. He has fought for the title and shared the cage with some of the best welterweights in UFC history.

Standing across from him will be the undefeated Michael Morales, a young powerhouse from Ecuador with a perfect 17-0 record. At just 25 years old, Morales has demolished all six of his UFC opponents, showcasing explosive striking, solid wrestling from his Judo background, and fight-ending power. While he lacks Burns’ experience against top-tier competition, Morales makes up for it with raw athleticism and dangerous finishing ability. The contrast between the veteran grappler and the young striker makes this an intriguing stylistic matchup that could end dramatically at any moment.

Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales MMA Betting Odds

The betting markets have spoken loudly about this matchup, and they’re not showing much respect to the veteran Burns. According to BetMGM, Michael Morales enters as a massive -800 favorite. This means an $800 bet will yield $100. Meanwhile Gilbert Burns sits at +550 as the underdog.

These lopsided odds reflect both Morales’ undefeated record and Burns’ recent skid, but they also show how the market tends to favor youth over experience in these matchups.

Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales Prediction And Picks

When analyzing this fight, it’s hard to ignore the momentum both fighters bring into the octagon. Morales is riding high on an undefeated streak with five straight UFC wins, while Burns is trying to snap a three-fight skid. The physical advantages clearly favor Morales. He is younger, fresher, and likely stronger at this stage of their careers. If he can maintain distance and avoid Burns’ takedown attempts, Morales should be able to pick apart the veteran with his striking.

However, counting out Gilbert Burns would be foolish. He has been in this position before and has the type of grappling that can change a fight in an instant. If he can weather Morales’ early storm and drag the fight into deep waters, Burns’ experience and ground game could swing the momentum.

If we are going to bet on the fight, we are going with Michael Morales to win the fight via unanimous decision.

(Image Credit: Jason da Silva – Imagn Images)

Gilbert Burns

Michael Morales

UFC Vegas 106

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!